Variable-volume rotary kinematic machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a variable-volume rotary machine a principle of which is that the elements, which act as the rotary piston elements, themselves rotate about a secondary axis that passes through the piston element as they orbit about the primary axis of the machine. The operation volume of the present invention is a modified toroidal defined as the volume swept out by the piston elements as they simultaneously orbit the primary axis and rotate about the secondary axes. Described are two preferred embodiments of the present invention, one in which the piston elements rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the toroid, and the other in which the piston elements rotate about an axis that is parallel to the axis of the toroid.

1 . A rotary variable-volume machine comprising: 
 (a) at least one piston element;    (b) a piston mechanism configured to move said piston element in a motion that is simultaneous orbital motion about a primary axis and rotation about a secondary axis that passes through said piston element, such that said piston element sweeps out an annular path of variable cross-section, said piston mechanism including at least one rotor configured so as to rotate about said primary axis of rotation, said at least one piston element being deployed on said rotor;    (c) at least a first and a second stator portions housing containing between them a modified toroidal operational volume, said modified toroidal operational volume defined by said annular path, such that said at least one piston element moves through said modified toroidal operational volume, said piston element contacting walls of said modified toroidal operational volume;    (d) at least one inlet opening through said stator housing into said modified toroidal operational volume; and    (e) at least one outlet opening through said stator housing from said modified toroidal operational volume;    wherein said rotor is at least partially deployed within said modified toroidal operational volume said rotor and said at least one piston element passing between said at least first and second stator portions.    
     
     
         2 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 1 , wherein said piston mechanism includes: 
 (f) a main shaft deployed in said stator housing, said main shaft mechanically linked to said rotor and configured so as to rotate about said primary axis.    
     
     
         3 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one piston element is implemented as at least one pair of piston elements deployed on said rotor, said piston elements having at least a region with a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said rotor, and each one of said pair of said piston elements is deployed opposite another one of said pair at 180° and lies in a plane that is at 90° to a plane of another one of said pair, and at any point of rotation where any one of said piston elements lies within a cross-section of said rotor, a surface area of said stator housing contacts said rotor thereby creating a seal area.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 2 , wherein a ratio of piston rotation to rotor rotation is 1:2.  
     
     
         6 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 2 , wherein said secondary axis of rotation is perpendicular to said primary axis, and said at least a first and a second stator portions are implemented as two opposing stator housing shell halves.  
     
     
         7 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 6 , wherein said rotor is implemented as a disc deployed on, and perpendicular to, said main shaft and at least partially deployed within said modified toroidal operational volume, said secondary axis lying in said rotor.  
     
     
         8 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one piston elements is attached to an ends of a rotatable axle lying on said secondary axis, rotation of said axle affected by interaction between a first gear affixed to said axle and second gear statically affixed to said stator housing, such that rotation of said main shaft causes rotation of said axle.  
     
     
         9 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 8 , wherein each said piston element is implemented substantially as a disc.  
     
     
         10 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 2 , wherein said secondary axis of rotation is implemented as at least a second axis of rotation, which is parallel to said primary axis, such that said at least one piston elements rotates about said second axis of rotation.  
     
     
         11 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 10 , wherein said stator housing includes an inner and an outer stator element.  
     
     
         12 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 11 , wherein said rotor is implemented as a cylinder deployed within said modified toroidal operational volume, said cylinder configured so as to rotate about said inner stator element and said main shaft, said second axis lying substantially in said rotor.  
     
     
         13 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one piston elements is attached to a rotatable axle, said axle therefore lying on said second axis of rotation, rotation of said axle affected by interaction between a first gear statically affixed to said stator housing and at least a second gears affixed to said second axle, such that rotation of said main shaft causes rotation of said axle and said rotor.  
     
     
         14 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 12 , wherein said piston element is implemented with a substantially rectangular outer contour.  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . The rotary variable-volume machine of  claim 10 , wherein the direction of piston rotation is opposite to the direction of rotor rotation.